Adult Chris: [v.o.] Thurman was the first teacher that ever did anything about me getting beat down every day, only I couldn't figure out why.
Chris: Wait, what difference does me getting beat up make to you?
Thurman: I don't like seeing the "metaphorical" little guy get beat up. The United States was a little guy but we're a superpower now 'cause we got out from under England's thumb.
Adult Chris: [v.o.] Thurman cared about the principles of boxing for self-defense. I wanted to box for another reason. This is what I imagined my life would be like after I learned how to box.
[fantasy:]
Joey Caruso: [trips Chris] What's the matter, Sir Nose, can't catch the rhythm of the stroke?
[Chris punches Caruso, launching his body straight up into the air]
Adult Chris: [v.o.] Maybe pigs do fly.

Ms. Hutchins: Yes, can I help you?
Julius: Are you Ms., uh, Hutchins?
Ms. Hutchins: Yes.
Julius: Well, I think I got your mail by mistake.
Adult Chris: [v.o.] She'd like to help him make another mistake.
Ms. Hutchins: That is so sweet of you. I just moved here about a month ago. Where-- Where do you live?
Adult Chris: [v.o.] In poverty.
Julius: Around the corner. In the building behind you.
Ms. Hutchins: Well, I guess that means we're neighbors. [chuckles] I'm Darlene. And you're?
Adult Chris: [v.o.] Married.
Julius: Julius. Nice to meet you.
Ms. Hutchins: Nice to meet you. Mm-hmm.

Adult Chris: [v.o.] While my father was getting hit on, I was about to get my first punch in.
Thurman: Most guys, they want to learn how to box so they can punch, understand? Uppercut, jab, hook. Right? But punching is only the second most important thing in boxing.
Chris: What's the first thing?
Thurman: Not getting hit. Muhammad Ali said it best: gotta "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can't hit what the eyes can't see." All right, pop.
Chris: Ow!
Thurman: That hurt, right?
Chris: Yeah, that's why I said, "Ow."
Thurman: Okay, so at that moment, what would you rather be doing, punching or not getting hit?
Chris: Not getting hit.
Thurman: Okay. Good. Take a swing at me. Give it everything you got. That's good. Okay, now, keep it coming. Keep 'em coming. Whoa! Nice! See, the best offense is a strong defense. Okay? Because defense is the art of preparing for any eventuality. Because when you get hit, eventually, you're going down. Right? But when they show up, what do they do if you're not there?
Adult Chris: [v.o.] We could ask Osama Bin Laden.

Adult Chris: [v.o.] Earlier that day my mother had made my father's sandwich with a little extra love.
Julius: "Thinking of you. Love, Rochelle."
[When Julius dials a pay phone, he gets an engaged tone]
Adult Chris: [v.o.] Secretly, he was happy 'cause he got his dime back.

Adult Chris: [v.o.] Back at school, there was only one person more excited about me boxing than me.
Greg: Dude, you're learning the way of the pugilist. The sweet science of fisticuffs.
Chris: I'm just learning the basics.
Greg: Yeah, if that's the case, maybe you can understand why Tyson's gonna dismantle Bonecrusher.
Chris: Oh, you wish.
Greg: I heard they're having a closed-circuit screening at Madison Square Garden, but it's been sold out for months. Dude, I'd do anything to see that fight.
Adult Chris: [v.o.] Would you fight Mike Tyson?

Thurman: Whoa, that's good. That's good! Maybe it's time we try you in the ring with some real boxers.
Chris: Whoa, whoa. I'm trying to learn to defend myself against regular guys, not boxers.
Thurman: That's what I'm saying. If you can stay out of the way of a real boxer, a regular guy is never gonna be able to lay a hand on you. Look, the fact is, I think you got talent. And I could use your help with some sparring. I'll sweeten the pot for you. I'll give you two passes to the closed-circuit Tyson-Bonecrusher fight. What do you say?
Greg: Dude, you have to do this. It's a no-brainer.
Adult Chris: [v.o.] If you had no brain, wouldn't you make bad decisions? [Caruso punches Chris in the gut]
Thurman: Whoa. You see? I need you. You need me.
Greg: And we need those tickets. So it's a win-win.
Adult Chris: [v.o.] Said the guy who didn't get punched.

Ms. Hutchins: Hey, Julius! I was just coming to look for you.
Julius: You were?
Ms. Hutchins: Yeah. This is gonna sound crazy. You are not gonna believe this, but I got some of your mail. Isn't that crazy?
Julius: That's crazy. Yeah.
Adult Chris: [v.o.] Not as crazy as her.
Ms. Hutchins: It is so crazy how we live right behind each other.
Julius: Yeah. I guess I'll be seeing a lot more of you if they keep messing up our mail like this.
Ms. Hutchins: I don't mind if you don't.
Julius: Looks like you got more of my mail than me.
Ms. Hutchins: [chuckles] Isn't that crazy?
Julius: Yeah, it's crazy. Thanks. I'll see you later.
Ms. Hutchins: Yes, you will.

Drew: Hey, hey, there she is! Showtime.
Adult Chris: [v.o.] This gives a whole other meaning to Neighborhood Watch.

Greg: Dude, that was incredible.
Thurman: Good job, Chris. That's what you do. I knew you had it in you. How you feel?
Chris: [unintelligible]
Adult Chris: [v.o.] I just said, "Somebody please take my mouthpiece out."

Joey Caruso: Hey, Sugar Hill.
Chris: What'd you just call me?
Thurman: Oh-ho-ho, everybody, get back; stand back. I don't want to miss this.
Joey Caruso: I called you "Sugar Hill." What's the matter? You deaf?
Thurman: [to Caruso's accomplices] Hey, hey, hey! What is this? Four against one. That ain't a fair fight.
Adult Chris: [v.o.] That's the point of four against one.
Chris: Don't worry, Coach. I can handle this.
Thurman: Oh, yeah?
Chris: Hit me. [dodges four fists]
Thurman: Ha, ha-ha! You see? You can't touch my guy. Scram! Beat it! Let's go. Go ahead. Go ahead.
Greg: Yeah, that's right. Walk away.